Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Ayres a shepherd, born 4th December 1856 in Little Bowden, Northamptonshire and his wife Sarah Ann Ayres (nee Bryan, married q1 1888 in the Market Harborough, Leicestershire district), born 2nd October 1856 in Easton, Northamptonshire. John Bryan was born in the 2nd quarter of 1887 in Northamptonshire, his siblings were, Jenny, born 1889 in Little Bowden and Frank, born 2nd September 1891 in Great Bowden, Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family home was at Leicester Road, Great Bowden. In March 1901 John was employed as a groom and was residing in the family home at 13, Leicester Lane, Great Bowden, together with his father, a bone mill carrier, his mother and siblings, Jenny, Frank, Robert, born 1892, William Alfred, born in the 1st quarter of 1894, Horace, born 5th February 1897 and Arthur, born 16th December 1898, the latter four siblings were all born in Great Bowden. In April 1911 John was no longer living in the family home at 13, Leicester Lane, Great Bowden, Leics., residing there were his father, a shepherd, his mother and siblings, Jenny, a corset trade worker, Frank, a stable worker, William, a domestic gardener, Horace, a farm labourer and Arthur, a schoolboy. John was officially recorded at birth with the surname Bryan. His younger brother William Alfred fell in action on the 21st March 1918. In 1939 John’s father, mother and brother’s Frank and Horace, all resided at 13, Leicester Road, Great Bowden.
John first entered the theatre of war in France on the 11th December 1914 with the 13th Hussars, he also served with the 10th Prince of Wales’ Own Royal Hussars, the 11th Prince Albert’s Own Hussars and the Royal Irish Fusiliers, before finally transferring to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He was awarded the 1914 Star, British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 23 Aug-18 – 4.30am. Orders for the attack were received from Brigade which I explained to Officers Commanding Companies. ZERO hour to be 11.00am.
10.30am. Advance Battalion Headquarters established in front line.
11.00am. ZERO hour. The Battalion advanced under a covering barrage, “D” Company on right, “C” Company on left, “A” Company in support and “B” Company in reserve. From the very commencement the Battalion was met by very heavy and accurate Machine Gun fire from all sides. It was here that Captain L. SAYER, MC, Commanding “A” Company was killed whilst leading his men in a magnificently gallant manner. In spite of this opposition, the Battalion pushed forward in a magnificent manner, and went straight through to the final objective on the far ridge, reaching same at 11.45am, where reorganisation was made, and the position consolidated, heavy casualties were sustained during the operation and practically all officers and a large proportion of N.C.O’s became casualties. The Brigade on the right advanced with the Battalion and kept touch throughout. The Battalion on the left was hung up and it was sometime before touch was established on the left.
12.00 Noon. I reported to Brigade that Battalion had taken its objective and was in touch on the right but not on the left. I then pushed 2 platoons of “B” Company over to the left to establish touch with 1st BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT.
12.45pm. Touch was established on the left. During this advance the Battalion took prisoners 5 officers and about 150 other ranks. At least a dozen Machine Guns were captured and a very large R.E. Workshop.
1.15pm. 15th Infantry Brigade B.M. 115 received instructing me to push some men over to right of 1st BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT as they were held up. I had already pushed up 2 platoons “B” Company and established touch.
4.30pm. Battalion Headquarters moved forward to South side of Railway. All Companies were located and reorganised. About this time units of 13th Infantry Brigade were seen advancing in the rear in artillery formation; they moved forward to the valley South East of the Railway and were in position at 5.30pm. I was informed that they would go through the 15th Infantry Brigade and attack at 7.30pm.
7.30pm. The 13th Infantry Brigade attacked and meeting with practically no opposition whatever advanced the line at least 2,000 yards taking a large number of prisoners and guns.
9.30pm. 15th Infantry Brigade Operation Order No.213 received to say Battalion would withdraw same night on receipt of orders.
The casualties incurred during these operations were:
On the 23rd inst.
Officers killed, Captain L. SAYER, MC, 2nd Lieutenant P. H. CHILD.
Officers wounded, 2nd Lieutenant F. NADAL, 2nd Lieutenant W. WEBBER, 2nd Lieutenant P. NOLAN, DCM, MM, 2nd Lieutenant C. J. FILER, 2nd Lieutenant S. BURTON SMITH, MM.
Officers died of wounds, 2nd Lieutenant H. L. CHIPPINGTON.
Other ranks killed, 39.
Other ranks wounded, 113.
Other ranks missing, 30.
On Friday September 13th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “ASFORDBY.” – KILLED IN ACTION. – We regret to have to announce the death of another Asfordby soldier, Pte. J. Ayres, of the Warwickshire Regt., being killed in action in France on August 23rd, after having served four years with H.M. Forces. Deep sympathy is expressed to his relatives and also his fiancée, Miss Francis Flint, who resides in this village.